July 11th Update - The beach WILL be open this weekend, but we will follow our normal protocol if there are storms - closing temporarily or for the duration of the day depending on the severity of the storm.  Please see information below about how to obtain a swim pass and protocols in place because of the pandemic.
2020 Beach Opening Announcement

The Lake Myosotis Beach will be open on July 11th to current Huyck Preserve members who have purchased a beach pass for the summer. 
Beach passes must be purchased in advance and will not be available at the beach.
You must present your beach pass card with your photo id when you arrive at the beach gate.
Beach staff will not have lists of beach pass holders this year.
Our staff is available to help with beach passes Monday through Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm. We will be unable to assign beach passes at other times.
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In order to follow State and County regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have adjusted our days open, hours, capacity, and protocols. Please continue reading to understand these changes.
 
Before opening, we are required to develop a Safety Plan and implement procedures consistent with State and County regulations and guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following hours and protocols will be in place to safeguard public and staff health during the pandemic while giving our members access to our beautiful lake:

  1. Lake Myosotis beach passes will be sold to current Huyck Preserve members for $90 for the season.
  2. Because NYS regulations require us to open at 50% capacity, we are required to limit the number of people allowed in the beach area at any given time to no more than 25 people.
  3. Beach passes will only be available to the immediate family living in a household; no guest passes for others outside a household will be allowed. No exceptions will be made.  Please encourage your guests to purchase a Huyck Preserve membership and their own beach passes.  Beach passes are available for purchase by all interested new and renewing members.
  4. The beach will be open Wednesday through Sunday and will be closed on Monday and Tuesday.
  5. To allow access to all beach pass holders while staying within our maximum capacity of 25 guests at any given time, and to allow frequent, thorough cleaning of porta potties, handwashing stations, and other shared surfaces, we will be open in sessions:
    • Three swim sessions will be offered in July:
      • 1-3pm
      • 3:30-5:30pm
      • 6-8pm
    • Three swim sessions will be offered in August:
      • 1-3 pm
      • 3:30-5:30 pm
      • 6-7pm
  6. Access to the beach during these sessions will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Access will only be available through the gate off Pond Hill Road, and those entering will show their swim pass and photo id to and be signed-in by a Preserve staff member stationed at the Pond Hill Road entrance gate. Once our maximum capacity of 25 people is reached, the beach access will be closed until the next session. Approximately, 15 minutes prior to the end of each session, lifeguards and Preserve staff will begin to clear the beach. Those who have already attended a session that day may only re-enter for another session on a given day if the number of new people for other sessions is below the maximum capacity and will again be on a first-come, first-served basis.
  7. In accordance with State Phase 4 reopening plan regulations and guidelines, the following safety and social distancing measures will be in place at all times at the beach area:
    1. Beach pass holders must bring face coverings to the beach and wear them correctly with mouth and nose covered when not able to maintain a six-foot distance between themselves and people outside their immediate family. Both in and out of the water, members not in the same household must maintain a minimum of six feet between themselves and other users.
    2. Members not in the same household must sit at least 10-feet apart in the grassy area. Spots will be marked by flags. Flags may not be moved.
    3. There will be no picnic tables or grills available.
    4. The changing rooms will be closed for the season.
    5. Porta potties and handwashing stations will be available. Please follow instructions on signs before using.
    6. There will be no public access to the lifeguard shed and no shared toys will be available.
    7. Personal floats and toys brought from home may not be shared with members outside a household.
    8. The sand pit and sand box will be covered and off limits.
    9. There will be no diving platform.
    10. Entrance and exiting of the lake will be one-way and patrons must follow signage.
    11. There will be no parties, events, or group gatherings allowed at the lake.
    12. There will be no pick-up sports (e.g. soccer).
    13. All signs must be read and instructions followed.
Failure to comply with these rules will result in the loss of beach access (see 2020 Beach Pass Form). These procedures are in addition to pre-existing rules for beach use in place prior to the pandemic.
 
Our ability as individuals and as a community to follow State and County coronavirus regulations and guidelines will help to ensure that the beach area can open and remain accessible in July and August. Thank you for working together with us to create a safe and enjoyable experience for all. We look forward to spending the summer with you.

Lake Myosotis Recreation

The Huyck Preserve offers public access to Lake Myosotis for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and picnicking. Lake Myosotis is also a perfect location for bird watching. Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles can frequently be seen swooping across the lake and many warblers inhabit the brush just off Lake Trail East. Be sure to keep an eye out for the resident beavers as well!

Limited parking is available at the Huyck Preserve for those visitors wishing to enjoy our Lake Program or Hiking Trails. Visitor parking is available at the Visitors Center, Eldridge Research Center, and Lake Myosotis Boat Racks. Please contact the Visitors' Center (518-797-3440) with any questions about parking, the lake program, or our trail system.

Beach Policy
Beach Passes are REQUIRED for swimming in Lake Myosotis. Beach passes are available at an additional fee of $90 to Huyck Preserve Members only. This fee pays for the insurance and lifeguards necessary to maintain the beach program. 

The Preserve regrets that the beach is a limited membership benefit and cannot be open to everyone, but invites all members and visitors to continue to take advantage of the Preserve's extensive trail system, boating and fishing on Lake Myosotis and the Preserve's many educational programs. 

If you would like to purchase a beach pass, please email info@huyckpreserve.org.

Kayaking/Canoeing
Non-motorized kayaks and canoes are permitted on Lake Myosotis only. No boats are allowed on Lincoln Pond. Limited boat racks are available to members of the Huyck Preserve. Racks will be assigned on a first come, first served basis, for an additional fee ($50). Please call the Preserve with any questions: 518-797-3440.  The Preserve does not rent boats. Boats stored must be removed by Veteran's Day weekend.  Please email info@huyckpreserve.org for more information about the boat rack program or to purchase a spot.

Fishing
Fishing is allowed on Lake Myosotis ONLY and with a current NYS fishing license. Ice fishing on Lake Myosotis is also allowed if conditions permit (hand augers only). Fishing is NOT permitted on Lincoln Pond. 


All pictures copyright Huyck Preserve unless otherwise noted.